Moving to Conservers is partnering with local farms, breweries and organizations to connect food waste producers with businesses and individuals who can put scraps to good use.
Asheville students join in global Youth Climate Strike
“If you take one thing away from this rally, let it be this: You are not as small as you think you are,” said Asheville High School freshman Clay Swan-Davis. The event, part of a global strike involving over 1.4 million young activists, called for “radical legislative action to combat climate change.”
Urban forestry proposals aim to save Asheville’s trees
By adding a dedicated urban forester, crafting an urban forest master plan and strengthening the current municipal tree ordinance, say members of Asheville’s Tree Commission, the city can manage its growth in a greener and more climate-resilient way. “The more hard surface we have, the more green we need to balance it out,” says commission chair Stephen Hendricks.
Electric city buses make public debut
Even accounting for the fossil fuels needed to generate the electricity they will use, said Council member Julie Mayfield, each vehicle will produce 54 fewer tons of annual carbon emissions than one of Asheville’s current buses. Once all five buses hit the streets, the total emissions savings of 270 tons will make up a third of the city’s annual carbon reduction target.
Robert Turner discusses his new book and the Eat Your View movement
Turner believes the agrihood — a community built around a working farm — is a model that will help preserve farmland in Western North Carolina.
Christmas tree redux
As the holiday season winds down and decorations are packed away, disposing of Christmas trees sits at the top of the to-do list for many households. Even our region’s most famous residence, the Biltmore Estate, can’t escape the task of tree removal. In fact, with more than 100 hand-decorated Christmas trees in and around the estate, Biltmore has had to develop more than one approach to recycling and reusing its trees.
2018 in review: Conserving WNC’s natural treasures
Western North Carolina’s wild places and creatures lie at the heart of the region’s appeal, inspiring local artists and attracting visitors from across the globe. Events in 2018 promised to shape the future of those natural resources for years to come.
2018 in review: 7 Asheville-area climate stories
Twelve years: That’s how long humanity has left to hold global warming below the key level of 1.5 degrees Celsius, according to an October report by the U.N. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. In light of that sobering reality, these developments from 2018 had the biggest potential impact on Asheville’s contribution to climate change.
Asheville consumers, recyclers and grocers talk about food packaging
From reusing glass jars, to bulk shopping to bringing your own container for restaurant takeout and leftovers, locals are finding strategies for cutting down on food packaging.
Duke solar rebate program leads to call for ethics in renewables
As demand for solar energy increases, members of the N.C. Sustainable Energy Association worry that negative word-of-mouth about experiences with renewables could undermine trust in established installers. In August, the trade group developed a “Solar Business Code” establishing fundamental professional standards.
New gas power plant to replace Duke coal facility at Lake Julian
The new facility’s planned retirement is in 2059 — 17 years after Buncombe County government’s 2042 goal of transitioning all homes and businesses to completely renewable energy. Jason Walls, Duke Energy district manager, said his company is committed to helping local governments achieve their goals but that the new plant’s construction is based on forecasts of growing energy needs.
[Food + Beverage] Collider conference prepares business for climate change
“It’s like the playing field that everyone’s playing on — that the economy’s playing on, that companies are playing on, that the government’s playing on — that playing field is starting to erode,” says Josh Dorfman, CEO of The Collider in downtown Asheville. “I think there’s more on the line than many people understand.”
Persimmons are one of WNC’s sweetest fall harvests
Whether cultivated or wild, American persimmons are plentiful this time of year in WNC.
Planting edible perennials increases food system resilience in WNC
Cultivating low-maintenance perennial food producers like asparagus, rhubarb and artichokes has benefits for both the soil and the gardener.
Fallen leaves offer great garden benefits
Local city governments offer leaf collection and processing services, but residents can also put their own fallen leaves to good use.
Symposium integrates native and traditional wisdom with Western approaches
The ninth annual Rooted in the Mountains Symposium will integrate many different disciplines as well as native and Western approaches in its exploration of women’s health and heart health Thursday, Sept. 27, and Friday, Sept. 28, at Western Carolina University.
Versatile dent corn stars in fall dishes
As its name implies, dent corn has a small dent in each kernel and is mostly used in its dried form as a grain.
Asheville National Guard unit wins major environmental award
On Aug. 3, Jordan Gillis, acting assistant secretary of the Army for installations, energy and environment presented N.C. National Guard Field Management Station No. 1 with the Secretary of the Army Environmental Award, given annually to just nine individuals, teams or installations from Army operations across the country.
Wild sumac berries add local tang to seasonings
The prolific, native berries, can easily be found along the edges of forests or in grassy or disturbed areas in Western North Carolina August through December.
Woods & Wilds encourages forest protection through storytelling
Seven regional storytellers and Papadosio side project EarthCry perform at the Dogwood Alliance event, Sept. 8 at The Grey Eagle.
Invading Appalachia: Non-native plants introduced by gardeners threaten WNC ecosystems
Some commonly used gardening and landscaping plants cause big problems for WNC’s ecosystem.